One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
